Tuesday, August 30
The backward turn of visionary Jupiter opens a four-month window of opportunity for reviewing and revising belief systems and long-range plans. Answers come from within during this philosophical planet’s reversal period, giving more credibility to gut instincts. Patience is especially important when tackling major projects as making hasty decisions doesn’t work well with gigantic Jupiter’s presence in stabilizing Taurus.
You’re not interested in seeing both sides of an argument today, especially if you believe that your perspective is the correct one. However, you will enjoy yourself more and won’t sacrifice anything in the process if you remain open to someone else’s opinion, too. There’s no need to be so firm in your convictions that you arouse unnecessary conflict. Just remember that even if you listen to what others have to say, you can still remain true to your beliefs.
This could be a highly creative day for you, but you have to take advantage of the opportunities now presented to you. Although you may have serious obligations to fulfill, don’t let them prevent you from having fun. Make use of your determination; once you set your mind on something today, there’s a very good chance you’ll actually be able to reach your goal. Accomplishments may not come easily, but fortunately, your concentration should pay off.
You can be the champion of procrastination when an unpleasant task needs to be completed. Be careful now, for you may be able to get away with postponing a difficult conversation for another day or two. Just remember that the inevitable cannot be delayed forever. You’re better off jumping into the emotional abyss sooner than later. Take advantage of the current support you are receiving, for it could begin to fade tomorrow.
You may encounter circumstances beyond your control that give you good reason to fret today. Thankfully, you should be able to manage the emotional tension and channel it to increase your productivity. A powerful person may be surprised by your ability to maintain your composure under fire and your willingness to do whatever is necessary to succeed. Don’t bother attempting to impress anyone; just make sure you do what you need to do to thrive in the current storm.
The unflappable strength of your convictions is your secret weapon today. Others may think that you’re overly eager to please, but actually you’re driven now by an overwhelming sense of practicality and you won’t let anyone pull you off course. Saving dramatic expressions of your feelings for another day heightens your efficiency. If negative emotions arise, it’s okay to temporarily hide your annoyance or anger until they pass.
You are in your own earthy element today and eager to start a project or just have some fun. But even if you have an overall sense of well-being, you are still sensitive enough to feel a tempest brewing. Although you want to be safe and sound if a storm hits, there’s no reason to cancel your social activities or postpone any scheduled plans. Enjoy yourself for the next few days while you still can.
It’s a bit unsettling for you to feel so peaceful while others think you’re being ambivalent. However, you know when it’s wise to keep your emotions to yourself. Trust your hunches now; you’re probably more in touch with your intuition while the Moon is in your sign than you realize. But don’t worry if you say more than you intended because everything’s going to come out into the open soon enough. In the meantime, relax and enjoy the calm while it lasts.
Your perceptions are quite keen today and it’s unlikely that anyone will be able to fool you. Still, you could have a difficult time focusing your attention on the present moment now because three planets in your 11th House of Long-Term Goals indicate that you are concentrating on the future. However, there aren’t any shortcuts and it will take time for you to reach your destination. Thankfully, your unrelenting determination may be just what you need to get you there.
You are all about getting ahead at work today and can make a lot of progress if you put your mind to it. Fortunately, this is a great time to organize your life, and it’s wise to start by reprioritizing your goals. Even if you already know where you want to go, stopping to redefine your objectives is the most useful thing you can do right now. Once you make a decision about your new direction, sit with it for a few days before doing anything about it to make sure that your optimism doesn’t get the best of you.
You are feeling good enough today that you are tempted to take on too much, but five planets in practical Earth signs make it more likely that you’ll be guided by your common sense. Ultimately, you’re able to strike a comfortable balance between your need to get things done in a timely manner and your desire to kick back and relax. Luckily, the planets are supporting you now, making it easy to succeed, no matter what you decide to do.
You seem to possess a magic bullet today that enables you to dissipate the stress as quickly as it continues to build. However, even though you can stay mellow, your problems won’t vanish just because you want them to go away. You’ll have to face the music sooner or later and, since you currently have excellent support from the cosmos, it might just as well be now.
Although your relationship troubles aren’t over, your positive attitude can go a long way today toward soothing a recent upset. Still, your pleasant disposition won’t diminish your emotional intensity. Others might see right through your calm veneer and understand how passionate you are about doing the right thing. Nevertheless, you must decide which path you’re going to follow, and that can stir up significant conflict along the way.
Full Moon
Waning Moon
Waxing Moon
Dark Moon Chant
NEW MOON
LUNAR PHASES
Discover the cosmos!Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer.
2011 August 22
TrES-2b: Dark Planet
Illustration Credit: David A. Aguilar (CfA), TrES, Kepler,
NASAExplanation: Why is this planet so dark? Planet TrES-2b reflects back less than one percent of the light it receives, making it darker than any known planet or moon, darker even than coal. Jupiter-sized TrES-2b orbits extremely close to a sun-like star 750 light years away, and was discovered producing slight eclipses in 2006 using the modest 10-cm telescopes of the Trans-Atlantic Exoplanet Survey (TrES). The alien world’s strange darkness, however, was only uncovered recently by observations indicating its slight reflective glow by the Sun-orbiting Kepler satellite. An artist’s drawing of planet is shown above, complete with unsubstantiated speculation on possible moons. Reasons for TrES-2b’s darkness remain unknown and are an active topic of research.
Sunday, August 21, 3:11 pm PDT, 6:11 pm EDT
The love planet’s entry into earthy Virgo permits us to view relationships in a more practical manner. Emotions are tempered by operational considerations that can take the steam out of unrealistic romance, but increase the efficiency of partnerships. The discerning eye of this sign may focus on flaws, yet its value comes from constructive criticism that helps to solve problems instead of presenting them as failures. A more refined sense of taste allows us to appreciate life’s pleasures without overindulging ourselves.
A bit of sensible self-restraint is wise because you tend to see more of the good news than the bad today. The power of positive thinking may be on your side; however, you can take this strategy too far by ignoring the facts. Remember, it’s helpful to be an optimist, but it’s not useful to remain in denial.
You won’t likely veer too far off course today, even if a different route looks better than the one you’re already traveling. Fortunately, you can recognize that there are many ways to reach the same goal and the one that works for someone else isn’t necessarily the best choice for you. Be appreciative and acknowledge each of the ideas that are presented to you now before returning to your path, knowing that it will serve your purpose best.
Although you are feeling pretty good today, you may believe that it’s important to keep your optimism under wraps. The Moon’s conjunction with jolly Jupiter in your 12th House of Secrets means that no one will know that you’re smiling on the inside. In the meantime, don’t forget about your obligations. Having fun isn’t just an excuse to get out of work. In fact, you should be able to find a way to combine your responsibilities with a lighthearted attitude that enables you to be productive while still enjoying yourself. Just be careful not to take on more than you can do.
Your friends can be a source of joy today as the Moon joins jovial Jupiter in your social 11th House of Community. Nevertheless, you could still have a tough time expressing a secret fear if you are concerned that others may not accept you just the way you are. You might even grow frustrated with your own inhibitions, wishing that you were more easygoing. Don’t waste energy trying to do anything that’s uncomfortable now; just observe your feelings and say what’s on your mind only when you are ready.
It’s an absolute relief to let someone else take the lead today. Giving up control can be very exhilarating on its own, but you’re in luck now because your friends or co-workers may have something fun in mind. Processing your own resistance quickly allows you to open up some playtime in your already busy schedule. Go ahead and indulge yourself; your work will still be there when you return.
You may want to retreat into a more private space because excessive social activity makes you feel nervous today. Unfortunately, you have to incur interactions with others to do your job or to accomplish what is expected of you. If you withdraw, the pressure could build until you fulfill your commitments. Paradoxically, you might have a great time once you stop resisting the inevitable.
Today could be a wonderful day if you are open to all the potential possibilities that come your way. But as the day unfolds, it appears that you are more attached to an old agenda than you previously thought. Someone may seem quite stubborn and can become a pain in your neck until you realize that you’re being inflexible, too. Adapt to the changing circumstances and enjoy yourself while you can.
Something that bothered you recently seems less annoying now. Perhaps you change your attitude when you learn additional information that you were previously missing. Or, maybe you simply have a change of heart. You may see the very same person who was obstinate yesterday as the source of steadfast support today. In any case, your willingness to try new experiences can attract exactly what you are seeking.
You cannot escape from the drudgery of routines now, but someone can take you on a little adventure that leaves you relaxed and reinvigorated. Whether it is a fascinating discussion at a long lunch with friends or a peaceful sunset stroll with your sweetie, getting away for a bit today is exactly what you need to clear your mind.
You’re eager to start on your new project, even if you don’t know where it will take you yet. Your willingness to make a commitment before you have all the details stems from your high level of self-confidence. You are secure in knowing what you stand for now and what you bring to the situation, freeing you to say yes to an intriguing opportunity and save the hard questions for later.
The potential for fun and games continues to grow, making it nearly impossible for you to choose only one path. But you need to limit your activities because you cannot do everything. Still, you may take on more than you can handle today, without realizing that too much of a good thing can tire you out or, at the least, cause indigestion. Practice moderation; a bit of self-restraint now allows you to have a better time in the long run.
Your emotional satisfaction may not be noticeable by most of those around you today. Oddly enough, you can be very happy without your friends or co-workers having any knowledge of your personal world. Meanwhile, a partner or family member comes to the rescue by being able to see a different side of the story. Letting your joy overflow opens other avenues of communication which are easily expressed within a more private and personal venue.
THE WHEEL OF THE MONTH
The moons energies affect us on a more emotional level that is hidden to us
unless we carefully pay attention.
The first sliver of the waxing crescent moon represents the Northeast. She is
the newborn moon and reflects all possibilities. That first sight of the new
moon brings a sense of hope for the future.
As the moon moves toward the waxing first quarter, inspiration of the East comes
easily. This comes more often in the form of intuitions or dreams.
When waxing gibbous moon beings to assert herself in the sky, we are in the
Southeast. We may begin to become more aware of how we are feeling. We must be
careful to avoid confusing our feelings with who we are.
The full moon represents the South in all its power and full emotion. We tend to
feel wakeful and full of energy. We can use this energy to get out and enjoy
friends and activities.
As the moon moves into her waning gibbous phase in the Southwest, we calm a
little from the high energy of the full moon. Our emotions may begin to come to
balance as we see what we can create and accept what cannot be.
The waning last quarter moon of the West can at times be jarring. The moon seems
to be deserting us as she becomes smaller and smaller in the sky. Often emotions
must be released in order to be able to move on.
Gradually the waning crescent of the Northwest becomes smaller and smaller. We
are able to let go a little easier and are in a highly intuitive, receptive
state. Deep understandings may come to us at this time.
At last we cannot see the moon at all. We are in the dark of the moon, the
North. This is a deeply inner time that restores us in readiness for the first
glimmering of the visible new moon as we continue around and around.
Saturday, August 13, 11:57 am PDT, 2:57 pm EDT
The Full Moon in Aquarius represents a time when we can step outside of ourselves to see a more global picture of reality. Its opposition to the Sun, Mercury and Venus in self-conscious Leo gives us the choice of falling into infantile patterns or recognizing that there are at least two sides to every story. This is an opportunity to express Leo’s heartfelt warmth without burning others with an overheated need to dominate, but rather to engage in shared experiences that honor the uniqueness of everyone.
Tuesday and Wednesday, August 9-10
Tension rises with Mars catalyzing aspects to astrology’s most transformative planets. Electric Uranus and powerful Pluto are moving toward a series of exact squares in 2012-15 that has the power to reshape the world. Mars interactions with this pair can trigger a sense of uncertainty and provoke impulsive behavior. Taking a calmer approach to crisis, though, can lead to innovation and learning how to manage the pace of change.
Tuesday and Wednesday, August 9-10
Tension rises with Mars catalyzing aspects to astrology’s most transformative planets. Electric Uranus and powerful Pluto are moving toward a series of exact squares in 2012-15 that has the power to reshape the world. Mars interactions with this pair can trigger a sense of uncertainty and provoke impulsive behavior. Taking a calmer approach to crisis, though, can lead to innovation and learning how to manage the pace of change.
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Monday, August 8, 2:46 am PDT, 5:46 am EDT
Mercury backing into grandiose Leo can inflate the importance of our own ideas. It’s tempting to defend positions out of pride even if facts don’t agree. Separating ego from intellect with a bit of objectivity can counter this reactionary impulse. The upside of this transit is the recovery of creative concepts that have been left lingering on the vine and are now ripe for picking.
Meditate on the Waxing Moon
Lady Moon has spread her fingers of night over my patch of reality,
And she watches me as I stand beneath her encompassing gaze
Away fromthose who would cloud my vision.
Her sister stars glitter through the sky and sing for the night.
Mother, please fill me with your beauty and reveal to me the mysteries of your silent domain.
My heart holds naught but love for you,
My soul wishes to sing in harmony with its sisters within your embrace.
In love and respect I come before you
And I ask to be blessed with the power of Lady Moon.
In the tarot, the Moon card represents the powers of the unconscious. Before you go onstage for a public presentation, take a moment. Stand straight, close your eyes, and relax your shoulders. Place your heels close together, but not touching, with your feet at about a right angle. Envision the Full Moon, overhead and slightly in front of you, glowing blue-white and clear. All that you have studied and practiced is within your unconscious. The light of the Moon will free this, and let it flow through your performance. Open your eyes very slowly, and feel this light continuing to flow. Take a slow breath, and let it flow easily out of you as you step on stage.
By: Therese Francis
Conjunction: Sun Venus 2º
Opposition: Mars Pluto 1º
Sextile: Mercury Mars 3º
Square: Mars Uranus 0º
Trine: Jupiter Pluto 4º
Witches Of The Craft® 
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